Automatically acting brush making machine



May 10, 1932. ,g, M RT 1,857,207

AUTOIATICALLY ACTING BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 21, 1922 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Affg.

May 10, 1932; MERTES 1,857,207

V AUTOMTICALLY ACTING BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 21. 1922 8 Sheets-Sheet '2 INVENTOR a. I Affy.

May 10, 1932. A. MERTES 1,357,207

AuTouAnpALLY ACTING BRUSH MAKING mcnms Original Filed Aug. 21, 1922 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 i i l I l l E i E ii \9 b 5 lNVtNTOR 04.7% mm May 10, 1932. A, MERTES 1,857,207

AUTOMATICALLY ACTING BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2l, 1922 s Sheets-Sheet '4 v INVENTOR Affy.

May 10, 1932. A MERTES 1,857,207

AUTOMATICALLY ACTING BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 21, i 22 s Sheets-Sheet e 1NVENTOR' May 10, 1932.

I MERTES .AUTOMATICALIZY ACTING BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 21. 1922 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ma -1 0, 1932. A. MERTES 1,857,207

AUTOMATICALLY ACTING BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 21. 1922 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 1' o 1 W x Patented May 10, 1932 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUGUST MERTES, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS COMPANY, PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA AUTOMATICALLY norms Application filed August 21, 1922, Serial proper sequence to perform all of the opera,-. tions necessary to completion of the productfrom the preparation of the backs of the 10, brush by drillin suitable openings therein to the cutting an folding of wires that serve as the bristles of the brush. The advantages 'of such machine are manifest and it is not necessary to dwell u on the economic features 15, thereof resulting rom a completely automatic operation. The various featuresfland operation of the machine will be clearlyunderstood froman examination of the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the description thereof in which like numer openings drille to receive them; Flg. 21 is als indicate corresponding parts.

Figure 1 is a side elevational 'ew. of a'machine embodying the features of my inven tion;.Fi 2 is an elevational view ofthe re verse si e of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an elevational view of one end of the machine upon a somewhat larger scale; Fig. 4 is an end elevation showing a wire folding mechanism and a feeding device for transversely disposed-locking wires; Fig. 5

is a detail view of a wire cutting mechanism associated with the folding device; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the machine illustrating a carrier actuatviews of members of the assembly shown-in Fig. .6; Fig. 7 is a sectionalview showing an assembly for manipulating atransversely disposed locking wire; Fig. 7a is a fragmentary plan view of the assembly shown in Fig.

l 7-: Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view of mechaiiism for transferring a severed portion of wire to be utilized to anchor the wire bristles in position: Fig. 9 is a detail view of mechanism for dispos ng a transverse anchoring wire in position in a brush back; Fig. 10 is aside elevational view of gripping jaws operable to' dispose wires in a cutting and folding mechanism; Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12

ing mechanism; Figs. 6a and 6b are detail '01 PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A COB- nnusn MAKING MACHINE m. 588,251. Renewed 0mm: 17, 19:1.

is a detail sectional view of another gripping device which cooperates to secure severance of wires to be disposed in a brush back; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a carrier f adapted to support brush backs in their progression through the machine; Fig. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the carrier shown in Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a carrier member; Fig. 16 is a sectional view of mechanism for drillin brush backs vertically'and horizontally; ig. 16a is a sectional view of a driving gear arrange-v ment for the drills shown in Fi 16; Fig. 17 is a plan view of stationary fold ing lates; Fig. 18 is a front view of a device for oldin wires and forcing them into verticall drille openings in brush backs; Fi 19 1s aside view of the member shown in ig. 18; Fig. 20 is a fragmentarysectional view-of a brush "back having 100 ed wire bristles disposed in a side view of a cam mounted upon a main actuating shaft that controls the. operation 'of the device for transferring the anchoring wires; Fig. 22 is a detail view of mechanism for transferring severed wires to be used as anchoring means for the main bristles; and Figs. 23 and 24 are respectively side and plan views of shifter jaws shown in Fig. 22.

. The machine embodying my invention is assembled upon a. frame 1 and utilizes, a main actuating shaft 2 by means of which all of the various mechanisms are operated. Brush backs 3 formed of blocks of wood are moved in orderly progression through the machine by means of a conveyor com rising supporting members 4 pivotally lin ed together. Each supporting memberis adapted tov receive two brushbacks 3 which are clamped in position between stationary plates 5 at the.ends of the member and a centrally located wedge member 6. The, wedge memberis formed of a plurality of inclined plates 7 pivoted together, as indicated, at 8', and a wedge plate 9 disposed upon a bolt'10 95 between the inclined plates whereby they may be forced into clampin position against brush backs placed upon t e member .4. In order to maintain the several elements of the wedge member 6 in adjusted relation, 0

a leaf spring 11 is positioned between the inmeans isp'rovided for operating the conveyor 1 which includes teeth 14 formed upon the bottoms of the members 4 that are engaged by a-pawl 15 mounted upon a reci ro'cal ar 16. The bar is actuated by means 0 a link-17 connected to a rock arm 17 pivotally mountedupon the frame, as indicated at 18. A pin 19 upon the arm 17 is engaged by a hook 20 fashloned upon an adjustable rod 21 pivotally connected to a rock arm 22 and is maintained in operative position by a spring 23 connected between the frame and the arm. The arm 22 is secured to a stub shaft 24 mounted upon the frame and an arm 25 carrying a roller 26 is likewise attached to the shaft 24. The roller engages a cam 27 fixed upon a shaft 28 which is rotated by a beveled gear 29 meshing withanother beveled gear 30 secured to the main shaft 2. The cam 27 is provided with a recessed'portion 31 which receives the roller 26 and consequently. at regular intervals permits of a spring 32, con-' nectedto the frame and the arm 17, actuating the arm to cause the bar 16 and pawl 15 to 'be'shifted in reparation for advancing the conveyor. ince there are necessarily spaces between the ends of the brush backs and the ends of the su porting members 4,

provision must be ma e for advancing the conveyor agreater distance at periodlc in-,.

tervals than accomplished by the mechanism just described. To this end a ratchet wheel 33 is 'pivotally mounted upon the arm 17 and maintained'in position by a sprin 34 The wheel is provided with a number o umformly cut teeth, depending u on the number of holes to be drilled in the rush backs and a recess of greater radial depth than the teeth. The wheel is rotated bya stationar rod 34 secured to a bar 35 mounted upon t e frame. Whenthe spring 32 is permitted to move the arm 17 as the roller 26enters the recess of the cam 27 the movement of the arm is limit ed by a fixed pawl 36 secured to a slipporting member 37 attached to the frame. t will be apparent that greater movement of the arm 17, and consequently of the bar 16, will result when the ratchet wheel 33 is positioned to receive the pawl 36 in the recess. a

. the brush backs is to drill vertical holes therein to receive folded wires that constitute the brush bristles. The conveyor upon.

' which the brush-backsare mounted is admechanism includes a motor 39having a gear wheel 40 meshing with a ear w eel 41 mounted upon a worm sha 42 engaging -the shears thus'constructed. The first operation that is performed upon worm gears 43. Drill spindles 44 are connected by universal joints 45 to the worm gears and drive drills 46 mounted in a slidable block 47- disposed in guides 48 and adapted to beraised and lowered by a cam 49 upon the main'shaft 2 throu h a connecting link 50.. This mechanism rills vertical openings 51 in the brush backs 3 whereupon the backs are moved to a drilling mechamsm that drills transverse openings to provide communicating passages for each row. transverse drill 52 is mounted in a reciprocal shaft 53 that is reciprocated by'means of a cam 54 likewise attached to the main shaft and connected to the shaft 53 by a bell crank 55. A small motor 56 is utilized to drive the by wires disposed in the transverse openings,

they areadvanced to a wire feeding, cutting and folding mechanism, indicated at 60. Flat wires 61'are assembled in superposed relation, two wires being utilized in the present instance, being drawn from a source of supply, not shown, in groups containing a number in parallel relation corresponding to the number of vertical openings drilled in the backs in-a transverse row. The wires are drawn, through guides 62 by alternately acting gripping members 63 and 64 (Fig. 3) which are ongitudinally spaced, the one gripper 63 being mounted in fixed position but the other member 64 being supported upon a reciprocating bar 65. The bar 65 is reciprocated by meansof a connecting arm 66 actuated by a cam 68 mounted upon the bell crank C and a link 1 and '6. The cam 68 is so designed as to give definite periods of movements to the bar and in Fig. 5 and pivoted in the head at 72', is

supplled with a cutter -73, which severe the wires in each row after they have been pulled transverse shaft 28 throu h arms 69 and 70, a

, as shown in Figs.

forward by the action of the outer or first acting gripper 63 and when they are'rigidly held by the innei gripper 64, which is the second gripper in order to act. A fixed abutelement of ment .74 serves to form the other After portions of the wires orsets of wires are severed in this manner, they arefolded by means of 'a vertical plunger 75, having a spring-pressed plate 106 movably attached thereto. The plate is provided with marginal teeth 76, which force the severed between opposed projections 77 .and 78, upon adjacent edges of opposed plates thereby to fold them prior to inserting them in the openings in the brush backs. Th1S plunger is operated by means of a cam'107 secured to the main shaft acting by the agency of a rock arm 108 and links 109 and 110, connected thereto (Figs. 5, 12, 18 and 20). A depressible follower 79, which is adapted to prevent the ends of the wire loops from spreading after they leave the supports 77 and 78, is provided with an elongate opening therein, the sides of which are provided with marginal recesses 84 through which the teeth of the plunger pass. The follower is mounted as indicated at 93, and is provided with an engaging part 94 adjustable by means of a set screw 95. This jaw is secured to the reoi rocating bar 65. The jaw faces are prefernb y corrugated to assure positive engagement with the wires. A similar toggle, composed of plates 96 and 97, is operated by a depending arm 98 secured to the toggle plate 97. A

spring 99 engaging a nut 100 of a bolt 101.

serves to maintain the toggle plates in position when they are inoperative. The movable jaw 85 of the gripping member 64, particularly shown in Fig. 12, is adjustable in guides 87 by means of set screws 88. A toggle composed of plates 89 and 90 placed edge to edge actuates the jaw by means of an operating arm 91, to which the lower plate 90 is attached. Guide plates E for the wires are attached to the guide frame.

When the wires are fed through the gripper 64 to the gripper 63, the jaws thereof must be positioned at a common level, but when the wires are severed, the gripper 64 will drop slightly to permit the wires to lie upon the abutment 74 where they are out. To permit this action, the guide frame 87 will fall by gravity, but in order to raise it again so that the wires will be fed in alignment with the gripper 63, an adjustable screw 103 underneath the guide frame 87 is engaged by a rock arm 104 and the cam which operates the cutter is raised again to a normal level (Fig. 5). A link 105 connected to the cutting arm, lowers this screw or pin to permit the guide frame to fall when the cutter fails. The wires 61 pass through a swinging guide 300, pivoted at 301 (Fig. 12), upon the vertically movable frame 87 which holds the end of the wire after it has been cut off. This swinging guide is also engaged by the reciprocating gripper 63 when it advances to seize the projectingwire end, and is returned automatically to its normal position.

A device for alternately operating the grippers is provided by utilizing a longitudinal sliding rod 200 reciprocated by means of a rock arm 201 which is actuated by the cam 68 (Figs. 1 and 3). A striker 202 engages the arm 98 to operate the first gripper, as it moves forward and subsequently a striker 203 is caused to engage the arm'91 of the second gripper whereby the brush wires are secured in place while the first gripper returns for another hold.

In Figs. 4, 7, 8 and 9 is shown the construction of a mechanism for feeding transverse wires 111 to the transverse openings in the brush backs. A guiding device is employed which includes a rotatable frame 112 having an opening 113 into which screws 114 project. The wire is guided through cylindrical sleeves 115 rotatable with said frame operated by means of a pulley 116 and it is straightened by passing over the ends of the screws 114.

In Figs. 7 and 7 a, a wire feeding and cutting device for the transverse wires 111 is shown. The device embodies toggle arms 117 pivoted upon a central shaft 118. One of the arms is'pivoted upon a sliding head 120 and the other arm. is pivoted upon a rock arm 119 which is pivoted upon the head. The wire 111 is directed throu h a guide opening X in the toggle sha t 118 and through a guide opening Y in the head to' combined cutting and gripping jaws 124 and 125. A set screw 141, adjustable in the rock arm 119, engages the movable jaw 124.

A cam 140 on the main shaft 2 engages a disc 122 upon the toggle shaft 118 and presses against the toggle, thus closing the jaws together and feeding. the head and wire forward on a guide 121 until the head engages an adjustable screw 123, whereupon the forward movement of the head'is arrested. Further movement of the cam causes spreading of the toggle members thereby forcing the movable jaw 124 more firmly toward the stationary jaw, thus severing the wire. A shoulder R upon the head 60 determines the length of the wire to be cut. A spring S upon a rod or pin T, which passes through the rock arm, releases the pressure upon the upper jaw from the rock arm and screw 141. A spring 127 returns the head to its starting position which is determined by an adjustable rod 128.

The severed portion of the wire is inserted between jaws 129 and 130 of a shifter, which receive the severed portion or nail from the gripping head, and transfer it to a position in alignment with the desired transverse opening in the brush back, or in alignment with the vertical openings last supplied with looped wires, as shown in Fig. 8. The jaws 129 and 130 are yieldably retained in clamping relation by means of a spring 200 and are adapted to be separated by a member 201 when it engages the frame 60 over a bed 145 upon which the wire is deposited. The jaws are mounted upon an arm 131 pivoted upon the bed plate, as indicated at 132, and is operated to transfer the severed wire from one position to the other by means of a cam 133 gages a swinging arm 134 movably supported in a guide 135 on the frame 60. The arm is operatively connected to the shlfter arm by means of the links 136, 137 and 138, and a bell crank 139, pivoted on the frame 60, as indicated at P. A screw 142 limits the rearward movement of the shifter arm,and a spring 143 (Fig. 4) returns it to position to receive a severed wire portion.

After the severed wire has been placed in its bed 145, a'spring-pressed keeper plate 146 is moved to retain the wire in its bed until a plunger 147, operated by means. of a cam 148 on the main shaft through the agency of a swinging arm 149 and link 150, forces the severed wire into the block. To permit of this action, the keeper plate 146 is raised by means of a spring pressed swinging plate 151, pivoted at 152 and a rod 153, which passes through an eye 154' on the swinging plate and is pivotally attached to the swing ing arm 149 (Fig. 9). Rearward movement of the arm 149 raises the keper plate, and forward movement thereof depresses the plate. A link 155 secured to a rock arm 156 pivotally attached to a weight 157 serve to return the plunger to an inoperative position. A spring 158 mounted upon the extremity of the plunger strikes against a shoulder 159 upon the frame and prevents concussion of. the parts.

The operation of the various features of the machine will be apparent from the foregoing description, but the sequence of operation may be described as follows:

The wooden brush backs are secured one at a time at the front of the machine upon the conveyor mounted upon the rotatable supports 12 at each end thereof. The backs are operated upon first by the vertical drills 46 at the rear of the machine,'where the vertical holes are made that receive the wire loops forming the bristles. The horizontal drill 52 then functions to form a communicating passage through each transverse row of openings in the backs wherein the locking wire or nail 111 is subsequently disposed. Thence each brush back is fed in turn to the filling position underneath the head 60, as shown in Fig. 3. Meanwhile parallel bands of wire 61 are fed periodically by means of reciprocating gripping j aws' 63 to the knife cutter 73. Immediately the jaws 64 close upon the wires at a position rearwardly spaced from the knife thereby securing the wires in position until the knife descends and severs the wires.

At once the plunger, composed of members 75 and 106, descends and folds the several wires centrally between their ends and forces the resulting loops through the depressible guide follower 79. This follower is depressed with the loop and serves to prevent the ends of the severed wires from spreading after leaving the supports 77 and 78 upon portion of the wire is seized between the jaws 4 129 and 130 of the shifting device, which transfers it to a position in alignment with a row of, vertical openings in the brush back. A keeper plate 146 is utilized to retain the wire in position until the plunger 147 functions to insert the severed wire into the transverse opening in the back, and in this manner lock the wire loops therein. The conveyor is periodically moved to bring each brush back in turn underneath the plunger and the several cams are so timed as to cause the several mechanisms to be operated at the proper moment.

.What I claim is:

1. A brush making machine comprising means for providing openings in brush backs to receive bristles, means for makin coinmunicating openings to receiving anc oring devices, means for folding and disposing 1 wires in the first mentioned openings, and

means for arranging anchoring devices in the commumcatlng openings.

2. A brush making machine comprising a conveyor adapted to support a plurality of brush backs, means for actuating the con-- veyor at intervals, means for simultaneously drilling a plurality of vertical openings in the backs, nieans for drilling transverse openings to orm communicating passages for the vertical openings, means for feeding and cutting wires to a predetermined length, means for disposing such wires in the vertical openings, and means for arranging anchoring wlres in the communicating passages.

4. A brush making machine comprising a conveyor adapted to support a plurality of brushbacks, means for actuating the conveyor at intervals, means for simultaneously drilling a plurality of vertical openings in the backs synchronously adjusted with the conveyor, means for drilling transverse communicating passages for the vertical openings, means for feeding and cutting wires to a predetermined length, means for disposing such wires in the vertical openings, means for feeding and cutting wires for anchoring the wires in the vertical openings and means for arranging the anchoring wires in position.

5. In a machine for the purposes described, a bed plate, a carrier for a multiple number. of brush backs, intermittently acting means for propelling said carrier and brush backs over said bed plate, means for successively drilling spaced transverse rows of vertical openings in said brush backs, means for drilling spaced transverse openings connecting the openings in each transverse row of openings, gripping means for feeding parallel wires over said frame, gripping means acting alternately therewith for reta1ning said wires in their extended positions, means for severing portions at the outer extremities of said wires, plunger means for loop ng said severed portions, said plunger serving also for driving the same into the opemngs 1n one of said transverse rows of openings.

6. In a machine for the purpose described, a bed plate, a carrier for a multiple number of spaced brush backs, intermittently actmg means for propelling said carrler and brush backs over said bed plate, means for successively drilling spaced transverse rows ofvertical openings in said brush backs, means for drilling transverse openings connecting the openings 1n each transverse row of open- 'ings, gripping means for feeding parallel for driving said looped portions into the wlres over said frame, gripping means acting alternately therewith for retaining said wires in their extended positions, means for severing portions at the outer extrem1t1es of said wires, plunger, means for looping said' severed portions, said plunger means serving openings in one of said transverse rows of openings, and a follower adapted to prevent the extremities of said looped portions from spreading until they are deposited in said row of openings.

7 In a machine for attaching brush wires to a multiple number of brush backs, a brush back carrier composed of sections arranged in alignment with each other, a rack secured to each section, meansfor flexibly connectingsaid sections together, and means secured to said sections for detachably securlng brush backs thereto.

, 8. In an endless carrier fonpropelling a number of brush backs, a multiple number of spaced sections, terminal and intermediate attaching means upon said sections for said brush backs, and rack portions upon said-sections, said rack portions being spaced at positions corresponding with the spaces between the brush backs upon said sections.

9. In a machine for the purpose described,

an endless carrier for a multiple number of brush backs composed of a multiple number of spaced sections hinged together, spaced rack portions on the sections opposed to the brush backs, a reciprocal pawl in the machine engageable in turn with the racks, means for reciprocating the pawl intermittently to propel the carrier, and mechanism in said reciprocating means for periodically increas ing the amount of movement of the pawl to V propel the carrier over the spaces between the carrier sections, and between the spaced brush back thereon.

10. In a device for the purpose set forth, an endless carrier composed of. spaced sections hinged together, a retaining means at each end thereof for brush backs, intermediate movable retaining means-adapted to secure the brush backs in engagement with the end retaining means and means for spreading said intermediate retaining means and for securing them in place.

11. In an endless carrier adapted to propel a multiple number of brush backs, said carrler being composed of sections hinged together, a retainer for brush backs at each end of each section, and intermediate adjustable retaining means for saidbrush backs.

12. In a machine for manufacturingwire brushes, a frame, a fixed jaw thereon, a coacting cutting blade, a pair of gripping jaws, positioned adjacent one side of said fixed jaw and adapted alternately to engage and release flexible brush wires and to pull them to a cutting position, a pair of gripping jaws adjacent the other side of said fixed jaw, and adapted to hold said wires in position while operated upon by said cutting blade, means for reciprocating the pulling jaws, and means for alternately closing and opening the pulling jaws coincidently with the opening and closing of the holding jaws.

13. In a wire cutting and folding device. for the purpose set forth, the combination with spaced gripping means, of an intermediate cutting device, spaced supports for the wires when severed by the cutting device, said spaced supports having opposed teeth projecting therefrom towards each other, and a plunger provided with teeth adapted to enter the openings betweengthe teeth of said supports and to force the severed wires therebetween.

14. In a machine for the purpose set forth, opposed wire supports, having toothed adjacent extremities, a plunger provided with teeth upon its extremlty adapted to fold and force the folded wire between the teeth in said supports, and a follower adapted to encircle said folded wires as they are forced through said supports, and a depressiblesupport forsaid follower.

15. In a wire propelling and cutting device for the purpose set forth, an oscillating arm, 120 a releasable holding means uponthe extremity of said arm into which a severed wire is inserted, and from which it is automatically deposited, and propelling means for said severed wire. 125

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a support, of a stationary holding device mounted thereon,

a pulling device' movable towards and from said holding device, and an intermediate cuttin device adjacent to said .holding 'device. 1%. In'amachine of the character described,

the combination with asupport, of a stationary holding device mounted thereon, a pulling device movable towards and from said holding device, and an intermediate cutting device adjacent said holding device, and means for operating said holding device to seize and hold a strand while out by said 1 cutting device, and means for simultaneously operatmg said cutting device.

. Intestimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand this 21st day of July, 1922.

AUGUST MERTES. 

